Manually Update Galaxy Note to Official Jelly Bean 4.1.2 OS

The Samsung Galaxy Note N7000 users from Taiwan and Hong Kong can now install the latest Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean OS on their phablets as Samsung finally released the official OTA update, which has been promised since last year. As mentioned, the OTA is already available, but for those who have a rooted device powered by a custom ROM, or for those outside the mentioned countries, I have explained the below step by step guide. This tutorial will teach you how to manually update the Galaxy Note N7000 with the official Jelly Bean 4.1.2 software, the flashing procedure being explained during a few easy to follow and to apply steps.

This update will install all the latest apps, features and capabilities released by Samsung and included in the Jelly Bean platform along with some bug fixes which will make the Android experience more stable and smooth. Of course, as we are talking about an official firmware, the Android 4.1.2 system can be anytime OTA or by using KIES applied, but only by the Taiwan and Hong Kong users of the Note; the software has been released by Samsung only on the mentioned markets.

But, when talking about OTA releases, we all know that the update will not arrive to all the handsets at the same time. Some users will receive the ROM later than others, so you should periodically check if the OTA has been made available for you or not. Anyway, if you just can’t wait, or if you have a rooted Galaxy Note with a custom ROM installed, you will have to learn how to manually apply the official Jelly Bean 4.1.2 OS. You can do this by using Odin, which is a complex tool developed and used especially for these types of operations, the suitable manual method being explained on the present step by step guide.

In order to conclude, here is what we have until now: the official Jelly Bean 4.1.2 software has been launched by Samsung for the Taiwan and Hong Kong users of the Galaxy Note; the OTA will not be received at the same time by all the users and the same can be flashed on a rooted Note. Therefore, this guide must be applied. Now, before heading to the installation process, you need to prepare the phablet and ensure that everything else is working as planned. Because of that, make sure that you are reading all the following lines, don’t skip anything.

When installing a custom ROM, a rooted device is being required. Since we are dealing with the stock firmware, you don’t have to own a rooted phablet for being able to complete this guide. Furthermore, if you do have a rooted Note, then the root access will be revoked and the bootloader relocked. This means that in case your handset is being powered by a custom ROM, now you will be able to restore the lost warranty and also install the default settings and the factory restrictions. So, for this operation you don’t have to use a custom recovery image, as Odin will be used on the flashing process.

Completing a backup is still being recommended even though it is unlikely to lose your personal info by using Odin. Anyway, if you do get a boot loop or if something isn’t working as planned a wipe will have to be performed, so backing up the Galaxy Note is a must have. Save everything you need to (contacts, EFS, market apps and so on) and then return here and resume the rest of the tutorial. Now, you have to take care of the general pre requisites, which are being detailed during the next list; the update operation will shortly follow so you are almost done.

Make sure that your device is charged or that it has at least 60% power left; else your Note might get turned off in the middle of the update and get bricked.

You need to have access to a Windows running computer, to your handset and to its USB cable.

On the phablet enable the USB debugging option, and deactivate the security tools (like Firewall and antivirus) – do the same on the computer.

Make sure that you own the Samsung Galaxy Note model number N7000 before applying something on your device. This tutorial will not work for those who have the LTE / US variant of the Galaxy Note. If you do try to complete the next steps for a similar handset you will risk in bricking the same.

How to Manually Update Galaxy Note to Official Jelly Bean 4.1.2 OS

Then, download the update file from here (Hong Kong) or from here (Taiwan).

Extract the update file on your computer and then open Odin.

Turn off your handset and reboot it into download mode.

The Galaxy Note can be booted in download mode by pressing on the Volume Down, Home and Power buttons at the same time.

Now, connect the phablet with the computer via its USB cable.

On Odin, now you should see the “added” message displayed and the ID:COM section should be yellow or blue.

If not, unplug the device and re-install the drivers; then repeat the above steps.

On Odin go and select “PDA”.

Pick the update file and then click on “Start” in order to begin the update process.

When done, on Odin the “pass” message will be displayed.

You can remove the USB cable and reboot your phone.

If Odin gets stuck, you need to remove the USB cable, close Odin, remove the battery from your Galaxy Note, wait for a few seconds and re-insert it back. Then, reboot into download mode as explained and follow the rest of the steps.

All of your data will be wiped out; that’s why the backup was previously recommended.

Return to the recovery menu and select “reboot system now”.

Congratulations, now you know how to manually update the Samsung Galaxy Note N7000 with official Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean OS. Take note that the OTA release of the same might be already available for you, so in that case you don’t have to use the present tutorial. Anyway, do share your impressions and thoughts with us and tell us how things worked for you and how you find the new software.